Several non-governmental organisations will hold a meeting on Friday to discuss the latest appointments to the Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), especially the watchdogs new controversy-tailed chairperson, Abu Talib Othman.
National Human Rights Society (Hakam) secretary-general Elizabeth Wong told malaysiakini today all major NGOs related to human rights, such as Suaram and the Penang-based social reform movement Aliran, will be present at the meet.
Several womens groups, including the Womens Agenda for Change (WAC) and Womens Aid Organisation (WAO), have also been invited.
We will discuss about the new Suhakam. It is a matter of grave concern for the NGOs, said Wong, declining to elaborate further.
Since the government announced the appointment of Abu Talib this week, there has been a wave of protest due to the attorney-generals tainted past.
During his 13-year tenure as the AG, he was said have played a key role in the ouster of the then Lord President Salleh Abas for being biased against the government in 1988.
He allegedly ordered the destruction of videocassettes and photographs depicting former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker DP Vijayandran hence bringing to an end police investigations into the case.
He was also criticised for failing to initiate prosecution into the 1984 RM2.5 billion Bumiputra Malaysia Finance scandal, despite allegations that several Cabinet members and high-ranking government officials were involved.
Abu Talibs defence of the Internal Security Act a stand which contradicts Suhakams as the commission had publicly criticised the security law on numerous occasions has also cast doubts on his eligibility.
The former AG will succeed Musa Hitam whose term ends today. Musa, a former deputy prime minister, declined to serve another term.
There is also discontent over the governments decision not to extend the term of several vocal Suhakam commissioners, namely former Chief Judge of Malaya Anuar Zainal Abidin and Prof Mehrun Siraj.
The duo were praised for their report concerning the Nov 5, 2000 mass people's gathering, which found the police guilty of using excessive force against the demonstrators.
Serious development
Meanwhile, Suaram coordinator Cynthia Gabriel said the future of Suhakam is a matter of concern considering its new chairpersons track-record.
She said the NGOs view the new appointments as a serious development and this Fridays meeting will allow them to reach a common stand on the issue.
Besides Anuar and Mehrun, commissioner Mahadev Shankar declined to serve another term due to health reasons while former judge Dr Salleh Mohd Nors term was not extended.
The new commissioners appointed are retired Treasury deputy secretary-general Ramon Navaratnam, permanent representative to the United Nations Hasmy Agam, Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob, retired Education director-general Asiah Abu Samah and retired National Population and Family Development Board director-general Dr Raj Abdul Karim.
